Weed in Cucuta: Your Guide to Cannabis in Colombia

weed in Cucuta is a city in northeastern Colombia near the Venezuelan border. It’s a key spot in the country’s cannabis trade and drug trafficking. The area is famous for growing marijuana without a license. About 13,000 hectares are used for this in the “Golden Triangle” of Cauca department.

The government tries to stop this by using special forces. But, local farmers keep growing cannabis. They do this because they have no other way to make a living. They feel left behind by the government.

This guide will look into the world of cannabis in Cucuta. We’ll talk about the politics, the fight between big and small farmers, and the efforts to stop illegal growing. We’ll also discuss the danger of using a chemical called glyphosate to destroy the crops.

Key Takeaways

• Cucuta is a hub for illicit cannabis cultivation and drug trafficking in Colombia.
• The region has an estimated 13,000 hectares dedicated to unlicensed marijuana production.
• Campesino farmers rely on cannabis as a means of survival, despite government eradication efforts.
• The cannabis trade in Cucuta involves complex political dynamics and a battle between corporate and small-scale growers.
• The area is plagued by ongoing conflict, drug-related crimes, and the threat of a return to aerial fumigation with glyphosate.

The Changing Political Landscape

Gustavo Petro’s Victory and the Future of Cannabis Policy

In 2022, Colombia saw a big change with Gustavo Petro winning the election. He is the first left-wing president. His platform focused on helping different cultures, protecting the environment, and fighting for social justice.

Petro and his opponent, Rodolfo Hernández, both wanted to grow the legal cannabis industry. But Petro’s plan could bring big changes to how the government deals with drugs. He might help small cannabis farmers who have faced harsh treatment.

But, changing the drug war in Colombia won’t be easy for President Petro. He aims to change the security forces to focus on big drug traffickers, not small farmers. How he handles this will show if he can solve the complex drug war issues.

“The transformation of the country’s cannabis policy will be a crucial test for the new administration’s ability to navigate the complex and contentious issues surrounding the drug war.“

Corporate vs. Campesino weed in Cucuta

In Colombia, the legal cannabis industry is growing. But, there’s a big gap between big companies and small farmers, called campesinos. Big companies are mostly in Bogotá, far from where illicit cannabis cultivation used to happen.

Campesinos, who have grown cannabis for years, are now in danger. They face eradication and threats from groups. But, the new president-elect, Gustavo Petro, might help them. He says big companies are making money while hurting campesinos.

The fight between big and small cannabis growers will be big news as the new government changes drug policies. Petro wants to help campesinos, who have been hit hard by the crackdown.

The story of these two cannabis types shows the complex changes in Colombia’s legal cannabis industry. With a new government, the debate between big companies and campesino growers will grow.

Eradication and Counterinsurgency Operations

Even after a 2016 peace deal with the FARC, Colombia’s rural areas are still affected by war. In places like Cauca, farmers grow cannabis but have to sell it to criminal groups. This makes them targets for both the military and anti-growth efforts.

The Ongoing Conflict and Crackdown on Illicit Cultivation

The military has been raiding and destroying illegal cannabis fields. This leaves farmers with nothing and makes them angry. They feel the government doesn’t help them, only when it’s time to destroy their crops.

This situation is a big problem for the new government. They need to find a way to help farmers and stop the war at the same time.

Efforts to stop coca and cannabis have hurt communities a lot. Many people have had to leave their homes. Small farmers are now fighting to make ends meet.

The fight between the FARC and the government is still going. The new government must find a way to help farmers and keep the country safe. They also have to follow international rules about drugs.

Weed in Cucuta

Cucuta is near the Venezuelan border and is a big spot for illegal cannabis in Colombia. The area, known as the “Golden Triangle,” has about 13,000 hectares of marijuana that isn’t legal. Most of it is grown by armed groups and criminals.

The government is trying to stop this, but cannabis is still a big way for campesinos to make money. They feel left out by the government.

Cucuta is also a big place for moving drugs. Criminals make a lot of money from weed going to Venezuela and other places. Now, with a new government, we’ll see if they change things for the cannabis farmers and their work.

weed in Cucuta is a key place in Colombia’s cannabis world because of its location and violence. The new government will have to be careful to make good changes. They need to help the campesinos for a better future.

The Threat of Fumigation

President Gustavo Petro’s new government faces a big issue. They might bring back aerial spraying of glyphosate, known as “fumigation.” This was stopped in 2015 because it was bad for the environment and health. But, the old government started it again in 2018, using drones to spray on coca and marijuana.

The COCCAM, a group of coca, opium, and marijuana producers, strongly opposes this. They say they will strike if the government uses more glyphosate. Many groups are asking the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to stop this harmful spraying.

The Potential Return of Glyphosate Spraying

Petro’s government might restart big-scale spraying to fight drugs. This fumigation program was used by the U.S. from 1994 to 2015. But, it has always been a topic of debate because of its bad effects on health and the environment.

The glyphosate spraying can cause breathing problems, skin issues, and even harm babies. It also hurts small farmers of cannabis and coca. They can’t afford to protect themselves from these chemicals.

The new government in Colombia has a big decision to make about drug policy. How they deal with COCCAM and other groups will affect how they fight drugs in the future.

The Way Forward

Gustavo Petro’s win in Colombia’s election brings hope for big changes in drug policy. He plans to focus on big businesses, not small farmers who grow cannabis. This could help the farmers who depend on the crop.

The “war on drugs” in Colombia is hard to change. The fight between big and small cannabis growers will be a big test for Petro. He needs to fix the system to help poor rural areas.

To do this, Petro must stand up to big interests and change things. This could mean:

• Legalizing cannabis and making sure small farmers are treated right
• Using less money on fighting drugs and more on helping farmers find new jobs
• Starting programs that help rural areas that have been left behind
• Talking openly with everyone, including groups and countries, to get support for change

This won’t be easy, but Petro’s win gives hope for a kinder drug policy in Colombia. By focusing on people, not profits, the country can move towards a better future.

“The time has come to move beyond the failed ‘war on drugs’ and embrace a new paradigm that prioritizes the well-being of communities over corporate interests.”

Conclusion

In Colombia, especially in Cucuta, the cannabis industry shows the complex issues of the “war on drugs.” With Gustavo Petro in power, he aims to change this deep-rooted problem. He wants to help small weed in Cucuta producers who have been left behind.

Petro plans to reform drug policies. He wants to stop targeting small farmers. This could change the game for the cannabis industry in Colombia.

The challenge is big. The government must balance legal and illegal cannabis sectors. Helping rural communities is key to a better future for Colombia.

The outcome for weed in Cucuta and Colombia is uncertain. Gustavo Petro’s team must listen to small farmers. Fixing past wrongs is the only way to a fair and lasting cannabis industry.